I don’t know what’s going on but I am having a hard time fueling properly for stuff lately. I’ve been hungryyyyy. Not sure what’s happening. I’m eating a few more calories than I was when trying to lose some weight. Instead of 1300 as a base I increased it back to 1600 as a base. We’ll see how that goes. Shaking things up.
For breakfast I had two fried eggs and a toasted English muffin with cinnamon and splenda blend. Calories: 338. Then I hit the road to bike to work.
It was a little on the chilly side first thing but it warmed up as I went. I was running a bit late for some reason and I thought “I’ll just make up time on the trail”…yeah right…My legs felt like giant tree trunks, I was huffing and puffing on all the hills and then when I got to the Springwater Trail I was in a headwind the ENTIRE TIME.
I was so slow. So slow. My time doesn’t necessarily reflect my slowness, but trust me, I was slow on the morning ride in.
I got to work and had a cup of coffee. Trying to stave off the coming hunger. It’s been a hollow feeling lately. Stomach grumbling, hollow, almost nauseated hunger pains. Yuck.
Morning Snack:
Plain Greek Yogurt with sliced strawberries and about an hour later I had some cherries. Calories: 193
I prefer the Costco brand of the plain Greek Yogurt. I’ve tried a few brands lately. Chobani was ok but not my favorite, Trader Joe’s version wasn’t good at all in my opinion. It was super “milky” tasting to me. I’m not sure how to describe it–it just tasted a little off and it was REALLY high in calories. Back to my favorite–Costco.
Lunch:
I didn’t have many options and the frozen meal didn’t sound too appealing. I ended up meeting Michael and a friend at Korean Twist food cart for lunch. I got two bulgogi beef tacos and one spicy pork taco. $6.50 for the three taco special! They aren’t huge and just come with meat and lettuce and the sauces.
So tasty! Messy, but tasty. They are small tacos but filling. I had to estimate the calories and I think it was around 440 calories. The three of us sat in a nearby park to eat our lunches in the sun. It was a nice break from the day and it felt good to get some real food in me, not just snacks.
Afternoon Snack:
Applesauce. I was busy in the afternoon, lost track of time and was still a bit full from lunch. Calories: 50.
Ride Home
It was a hot one. Hot hot. Thankfully it was comfortable on the bike (for the most part). I took a lot of rest breaks in the shade to cool off, let my heart rate go down a bit and drink some water. I was doing really well until I got to the BIG HILL near the house.
It’s not exactly steep but it’s a slow, steady grind that never lets up and doesn’t level off until you get to the very top. I’d estimate the hill to be about 1 mile long from start to finish. Lately I’ve had to stop mid-hill to catch my breathe and give my thighs a chance to rest. Ooof this hill!
Despite the hill that’s been giving me so much grief this summer, it was a pretty good ride. I felt good and strong and made it home in decent time (especially with so many breaks).
Ride Stats
Total Miles: 22.98
Total Calories Burned: 876
Dinner:
For dinner I made Trader Joe’s gnocchi topped with vodka cream sauce (also sauteed some spinach in the sauce). I made caprese salad the easy way. Fresh roma tomatoes and basil from my garden and a string cheese. 🙂 Calories: 531 delicious calories!
I feel like lunch and dinner were good. I felt satisfied and never had that hunger crash. I’m not sure how to fix the rest of the day. I think my snacks are generally healthy but they aren’t quite filling me up. On days I ride in I can’t have a big breakfast because I think I’d just puke on my bike. So I don’t know that I can change breakfast much. Any ideas?
Sara
What about beef jerky for snacks? High protein=full feeling longer 🙂 I don’t eat in the morning so I’m not help with breakfast ideas. Also, is your calories before or after you add in exercise calories? Just wondering because 1,600 is really low for all that exercise! I’m guessing you add in the exercise calories on top of that though 🙂
Lisa Eirene
Yes I eat back a lot of the calories I burn off. Not all of it but most I suppose.
Rachel Smith
I’ve found I really have to have protein every single time I eat to avoid getting hungry an hour later. That serving of applesauce and the lower protein dinner, for example, would leave me hungry very soon afterward. If it was a serving of nuts or some cheese or deli meat for the same number of calories, it would keep me satisfied much longer.
Lisa Eirene
Protein definitely helps. Trying to find the right protein is hard sometimes. The greek yogurt has a lot of protein. Sometimes it works…sometimes it doesn’t! My body is fickle I guess…
Andi
What if you skipped the snacks and had bigger meals by adding the calories into your meals? Just a thought. Sometimes I have a higher level of hunger than usual and that’s what I do. Seems to work for me but I don’t exercise as much as you do.
Lisa Eirene
I kind of did that in a way yesterday. My lunch was bigger than normal and I skipped one of my snacks in the afternoon (I had guacamole and carrots). But it’s worth experimenting with!
Lori
I eat my biggest meal at breakfast since I exercise in the morning. It’s usually 400-500 calories. If you give yourself 30 minutes before riding, your stomach should be fine. I ride about an hour after breakfast. Try that on a weekend so if you do get pukey feeling, it won’t be on a work day. If I don’t get enough calories at breakfast and I exercise in the morning – I never feel like I can catch up the rest of the day.
You also could pad your meals with more fruits and veggies to make them more filling.
Lisa Eirene
Hmmm that might be a good idea. Maybe I should try eating breakfast (and a bigger breakfast) first thing when I wake up and then take a shower, get dressed, get ready for the ride.
CARLA
I tend to do my biggest meal at night since it’s when IM SO SO DONE and have the most time!!
Lisa Eirene
Me too. My biggest meal is usually dinner.
Christa
More fat? I find that a low fat diet leaves me feeling hungry. I love full fat Greek yogurt instead of the easier-to-find nonfat, for example. And applesauce would not be nearly enough of a snack for me. I’d add some nuts or cheese. Good luck!
Lisa Eirene
Good idea. It’s been awhile since I’ve eaten avocados. Maybe it’s time to add it back!
Biz
I know granola is a calorie bomb, but that sticks with me the most – the high carbs and protein works for me. 😀
Lisa Eirene
I’m willing to give it a try! Just bought some at the store today.
km
Agree with some of the people who commented to try eating more protein. Maybe adding two pieces of bacon or a sausage link to your breakfast, and changing your applesauce snack to a hardboiled egg or a serving of nuts. More protein and a little healthy fat should help curb hunger through the day.
Best wishes.
Lisa Eirene
Yes, the applesauce on it’s own was definitely not enough!
Vickie
Protein is what generally holds us. Eating a good protein source every single time you eat, helps. Helps hugely.
Avocado also helps me. It helps hold me very steady. I eat a whole small one or a half a large one every day (with my breakfast). So, healthy fat, which is very different from junk fat, has made a huge difference.
I did not read the other comments. I have not read other posts, so if I am way off base, I apologize. I happened to see you on the side bar of Jane’s blog and clicked over.
Lisa Eirene
Nope, you are right. Protein definitely helps. I second the avocados. I bought some this weekend and plan on giving those a try.